zofer11 wrote:I also never froze or crashed pre icc either. Have you noticed a battery drain since it went to 4.0.3?

I get the estimated battery life with ICS of 8-9 hours of continual use. I have not drained the battery more than 80% to achieve this. Audio only tests show it will play for 72 hours plus. (wifi/screen/bluetooth off)

still learning about these tablet things, kids are hounding me to get them one. So since I'm basically ignorate about these as compaired to a laptop, does a tablet need a wireless data plan or can I run this thing off a wifi connection?

jjessop wrote:Great tablet but Motorola has the same thing (16gb) on there site with $30 of apps for $279.

http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Tablets/MOTOROLA-XOOM-FAMILY-EDITION-US-EN?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=NA_US-EN_PPC_XOOM&WT.mc_ev=click

I had a "family edition" for one day. It is not the same thing. This is the flagship, "pure Google experience" tablet and has a few advantages over the family edition. It can view movie rentals from the Google Play marketplace where the family edition cannot. I was unable to get Skype video chat to work on the family edition, and it works flawlessly on this tablet. It even has an onboard barometer as a navigation assist or enhancement to the weather apps available, which is not included in the plastic jacketed family edition. Another couple of drawbacks for the family edition is a USB charging circuit (lower voltage=longer charge time) and a severe shortage of dedicated accessories

bobanddyan wrote:still learning about these tablet things, kids are hounding me to get them one. So since I'm basically ignorate about these as compaired to a laptop, does a tablet need a wireless data plan or can I run this thing off a wifi connection?

There is no data plan even available for this...it is WiFi only.

This is a wonderful tablet, kids.

Crisp video/screen quality, SD slot, download all your apps, music and Kindle content on it from Amazon. Plays Netflix and other vid sites.

It is literally an over-sized smartphone. If you love your phone, you'll love this. However, it's really unnecessary if you already have a smartphone and a laptop. It's a great toy and it's fun to play with but it was pointless for me. I ended up reselling mine a few months later even though I would rate it nearly 10/10. With my laptop and phone, I found that after the initial novelty wore off, it just sat in my bed stand collecting dust.

The #1 thing I loved it for was for reading on the Kindle app even though I have a Kindle. I prefer it to the E-ink. I liked the larger screen and bright background. Definitely if you are thinking about getting a Kindle DX or if you're thinking of gifting one, I would buy them this. Around same price but more functional.

So because I liked the back-lit screen so much, I bought a Fire. I actually prefer the smaller size over the 10" screen. It makes it more manageable and easier to hold onto.

If you have a laptop already and a smartphone, no to the tablet.

If you travel a lot and find a laptop too bulky to carry, yes to the tablet.

Vision impaired and using it for reading? Yes to tablet.

In general, I would say if you have even just a laptop, no to tablet although I did find myself using the tablet to watch movies while I was using my laptop.

Manageable just for typing and writing? No to tablet even with a wireless keyboard. Terrible to try to type/write with because it's so awkward.

If you have used a friend's tablet and want one for sure, I'd get this because it is great technology. All my phones are Motorola and I love them which is why I chose the Xoom. Never had any unmanageable problems with their devices.

OK, I'm gonna make this real simple. When it comes to the Xoom... if you don't have one: GET ONE.

I am a bit of an Android geek. I have two android phones, a 7" off-brand Android tablet, a Motorola Xoom, and a Motorola XYBoard (internationally known as the Xoom 2).

I actually use the Xoom more than the newer, thinner XYBoard. I much prefer the stock Android experience.

The Xoom does Hulu, it does Netflix, it does gaming, it does apps. It's a wonderful device.

If you need usage or rooting support, check out XoomForums.com. I'm a supporting member there. It's a wonderful community of Xoom owners.

bobanddyan wrote:still learning about these tablet things, kids are hounding me to get them one. So since I'm basically ignorate about these as compaired to a laptop, does a tablet need a wireless data plan or can I run this thing off a wifi connection?

This Woot requires you to have available Wi-Fi to get internet access. It does not have the cellular hardware installed. It's easy to tether to a cell phone with either Wi-Fi if you cell phone functions as a hotspot or through Bluetooth for a mobile internet connection, or it will automatically link to your home router once set up for it. There are apps available to help find free public wifi hotspots if you need one.

Hey guys! Would this be a good upgrade for a not so tech savvy student, or should I just stick with my laptop? Is it more of an entertainment deal? Thanks!

Awesome tablet and what I use myself. Quick, responsive and no issues since I've had it. It charges extremely fast and it's been a great experience, particularly if you have an Android phone and want to transfer your purchases (particularly games) to a tablet. I stopped using my phone for games after I got this.

I was "offered" this or an iPad 2 and went with this since I already had purchased quite a few apps/games on my Galaxy and I didn't have to convert anything that I had ripped to DivX format for my Xbox to use on it. As I said, I've had ZERO issues and coming from an original Galaxy as my phone, it's extremely quick and responsive.

Not read any other comments and if you want to brag about your iPad and put this down without using it, go for it, but this was to post my opinions of the product without comparisons, as a user.

hbalasmico1 wrote:Hey guys! Would this be a good upgrade for a not so tech savvy student, or should I just stick with my laptop? Is it more of an entertainment deal? Thanks!

I still say any tablet doesn't replace a PC, whether it's a laptop or desktop. It's more of a convenience factor. With Honeycomb, it does have Chrome as a browser as opposed to what the phones offer. I like using it when I'm on the couch watching something on TV or somewhere that I have Wi-Fi. I have the 3G/4G card but it's not activated.

I remember the good old days when I didn't get charged tax for Woot purchases. Tax kills larger purchases for me. I hate living in Washington. When Amazon bought them, it screwed me.

OK, a bit of a technical question, that I hope the Woot Geeks can answer... My Gingerbread phone allows me to access it via USB Mass Storage. My Vizio tablet, upgraded to Honeycomb, only supports USB access over MTP. Does the Xoom ICS upgrade restore the USB MS option, or will I still be stuck with MTP?

It doesn't really make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but UMS is *so* much easier to deal with than MTP in the real world, especially in not-MS OSes...

best tablet ever. have this exact model. serving media duties in my car. navigation, radio, video, games (connected to playstation controller) i have a good numbe of Android tablets but this is by far the most versatile and powerful runnning ICS.

http://youtu.be/gzwgFz3y_GA

Inexpensive cover for this over on Moofi...

How does this compare to the 32GB HP Touchpad?

viper3ez wrote:best tablet ever. have this exact model. serving media duties in my car. navigation, radio, video, games (connected to playstation controller) i have a good numbe of Android tablets but this is by far the most versatile and powerful runnning ICS.

http://youtu.be/gzwgFz3y_GA

This may be a stupid question, but how do you use it in your car? How are you connecting to the internet? Are you using a cell phone?

Naj37 wrote:This may be a stupid question, but how do you use it in your car? How are you connecting to the internet? Are you using a cell phone?

Probably not exact, he probably has the 3G/4G model or using his phone as a mobile hotspot/router.

Am I missing something here? Motorola themselves seem to sell it for $279.99
EDIT: or is that a different thing?

malachias wrote:Am I missing something here? Motorola themselves seem to sell it for $279.99
EDIT: or is that a different thing?

16 vs the 32gb version here? But for the person leaving soon for Europe, it looks like there's 2-day shipping....

Someone please help. If I buy this puppy, can I upload movies and music from my Windows PC? This is a deal/make/breaker for me, as I have extensive collections of both. Also, how about e-books?

Any help muchly appreciated.

Definitely will not perform like an iPad though. Not even a first generation iPad. And nothing compared to the iPad 3.

For this price, you can get a 64gb iPad 1 or a 32gb iPad 2.

Earl Wajdyk wrote:Someone please help. If I buy this puppy, can I upload movies and music from my Windows PC? This is a deal/make/breaker for me, as I have extensive collections of both. Also, how about e-books?

Any help muchly appreciated.

Yeah, you can. Use an ebook reader like Stanza or Kindle (if you have an account). And the player should play your movies.

Android plays well with Windows.

My sister has one of these that her 8-17 year old kids have been hammering on since last October (+/-) and it seems to be holding up. She paid a LOT more for it at the time. ($599 or something like that?)

If I had to say anything that concerned me was that the pin for the recharging port is TINY. She has not had a problem with it yet. But of all the things to make look so fragile, seems you wouldn't do so on something you're probably going to use every day or two. You can see how fine the pin is on the recharge cord in the last "package contents" picture woot has posted.

Again, my sister's has held up so far. But if I were one of the folks designing these things I'd have made it about 200% larger diameter. (More like the size of a headphone plug or similar.)

I'd love to have one of these if my house didn't need a new roof this year.

dionb85 wrote:Yeah, you can. Use an ebook reader like Stanza or Kindle (if you have an account). And the player should play your movies.

Android plays well with Windows.

Thanks!

malachias wrote:Am I missing something here? Motorola themselves seem to sell it for $279.99
EDIT: or is that a different thing?

Not the same. 16 vs 32 and the family edition does not have ics yet.

Ive had the 4G version for a year and you can't beat Xoom for Quality, Features, and performance.

Got my Brick of Carbonite today. It was as promised -- crap -- but it did include a pretty nice case for a Xoom. Should I buy one just because I have a nice case for it?

Budget says ... no.

Oh well.

dougmc2 wrote:Got my Brick of Carbonite today. It was as promised -- crap -- but it did include a pretty nice case for a Xoom. Should I buy one just because I have a nice case for it?

Budget says ... no.

Oh well.

Should sell it to someone buying a Xoom.

This is a good deal, wooted mine in the fall for $30 more, I think. When I first got it, I was satisfied, but the update to Ice Cream Sandwich made it run great. I use it primarily to watch video files from my hard drive, something I can't do on my iPad.

If I had to choose between the two, I would take the iPad, but it depends on your needs. The iPad has its advantages: the app store is never lacking for whatever I need, it's got the retina screen, and it does run smoother. But, that's at twice the price.

If you want a really good machine to surf the net, stream Netflix, and import your own video/audio files, this Is a great deal. and, angry birds is free from the google play store market thing.

It also has the micro sd card, but I'm having trouble accessing mine. I'm not sure how, maybe someone can help me out? I haven't really needed it, as 32gb has been more than enough, but it would be nice to know how to do it. Any advice? It doesn't seem to recognize it or want to mount it when I try.

akwoolf wrote:Inexpensive cover for this over on Moofi...

What are you talking about? There is no moofi deal running currently.

dougmc2 wrote:Got my Brick of Carbonite today. It was as promised -- crap -- but it did include a pretty nice case for a Xoom. Should I buy one just because I have a nice case for it?

Woot I hope my Bundles of Clones has one too. I already have a gel skin for it, but more Xoom accessories the better!

painiac wrote:This is a good deal, wooted mine in the fall for $30 more, I think. When I first got it, I was satisfied, but the update to Ice Cream Sandwich made it run great. I use it primarily to watch video files from my hard drive, something I can't do on my iPad.

If I had to choose between the two, I would take the iPad, but it depends on your needs. The iPad has its advantages: the app store is never lacking for whatever I need, it's got the retina screen, and it does run smoother. But, that's at twice the price.

If you want a really good machine to surf the net, stream Netflix, and import your own video/audio files, this Is a great deal. and, angry birds is free from the google play store market thing.

It also has the micro sd card, but I'm having trouble accessing mine. I'm not sure how, maybe someone can help me out? I haven't really needed it, as 32gb has been more than enough, but it would be nice to know how to do it. Any advice? It doesn't seem to recognize it or want to mount it when I try.

Make sure it is preformatted to FAT32 or it might not recognize. Install it making sure you have the contact side facing the board. Go into settings on your Xoom and touch Storage. You should see the SD card there. Also doesn't hurt to install a file manager to make access to it easier.

I bought this the last time it was offered and I love it. The only issue I've had was Motorola notified me that not all of their refurbs were properly 'cleaned' before being resold. So they sent me a shipping box, I sent it back to them Monday had it back Thursday and also had a $100 gift card for my inconvenience. As others have said, awesome display and battery life.

Got the Xoom with frequent flyer miles thru Delta and I use it every day. It makes my life much easier - checking e-mail primarily. I have three laptops, but none of them are small enough to sit on an airplane tray and use/type effectively. With cloud storage available inexpensively, the 32gb is more than adequate for me.

I have used this to present PowerPoint information through its HD port. Connect to a projector and use one of the Office apps available through the Play store - good to go. Skype works fine, direct loading movies, pictures, and music to the SD card

Considering buying this for my spouse.

pupyluvr wrote:For another 50 Smackers you can have a Refurbed iPad Deuce. Does anyone have both and have an opinion as far as which one is the One Tablet to Rule Them All?

I own this exact tablet (with ICS) and I got a refurb iPad 2 (with IOS 5) for the wife, so I can compare these head-to-head. Both are wifi only with 32gB base memory. Here are just a few of the differences that I've noticed.

Display - On the Xoom the display is larger diagonally (10.1" vs. 9.7") but seems smaller because of the proportions (H x W). The auto-brightness feature is more aggressive on the Xoom even at its most anemic setting so for identical lighting conditions the Xoom appears dimmer. The Xoom feels much better using it in landscape mode, while the iPad 2 is more comfortable using it in portrait mode.

Case, Expandability - The Xoom is slightly thicker but has a narrower bezel (black rim) around the screen, so it is more compact. One huge difference is the Xoom has an expansion port for a 32gB micro SD card ($25) so now I have 64gB total and can swap cards at will while the wife is still restricted to her stock memory and has to keep extraneous files on iCloud, which only works if she is connected to the net.

WiFi, battery life, etc. - Both units are easily comparable with no noticable advantage from one to the other. The email was a bit harder to set up on the iPad 2 because the setting for sending email were hidden when I set it up, but that was a one-time thing and no big deal. Battery life is almost exactly comparable, and both have to be sent back to the manufacturer to have either replaced.

User Interface - Here is where the Xoom really shines over the iPad 2. ICS has the look and feel of being a much more advanced operating system with many more features. It has a much more graphic interface, 5 home pages, you can search from any page, etc. ICS however, has a slight hesitation when swiping pages that the previous version (3.x) did not have so the iPad is slightly more fluid. ICS allows the use of widgets that IOS on the iPad does not have. You can truly multi-task on the Xoom and there is a pop-up graphic showing the past 20 apps you used that really comes in handy. Plus ICS does not require you to have all the icons for your apps somewhere on the main screens, only the ones you want - there is a "sub screen" where all the icons for your installed apps and widgets live.

Apps - Apple does have more, and what they have are generally better quality, but both of us have around 50 apps on our individual tablet so having access to 500,000 is really a bit of overkill. Using Google Play (formerly the App Market) requires that you do a lot more "sifting" thru junk in order to find something good that meets your need, while Apple's App Store has better offerings up front.

Just my two cents - Jon651

dionb85 wrote:Definitely will not perform like an iPad though. Not even a first generation iPad. And nothing compared to the iPad 3.

For this price, you can get a 64gb iPad 1 or a 32gb iPad 2.

Well, you can get an Apple-refurb 16GB iPad 2 for $350, which is what I did. We have a XOOM at work, and I don't think it's anywhere near as fast or smooth as the iPad 2, particularly when browsing graphics-heavy sites. The XOOM is noticeably heavier, but doesn't have the poky edges like the iPad 2, so overall they're comparable in terms of comfort. I think the colors and brightness on the iPad screen are a little better, but the XOOM definitely has better cameras. I like the screen ratio on the iPad better, but that's a personal thing.

But really, the big kicker is apps, apps, apps. There are way more and better apps (particularly games) for the iPad than for Android tablets, and that doesn't look to change any time soon.

Honestly, overall, if I was looking for a bargain tablet, I'd get an Amazon Kindle Fire. They're not perfect, but not bad, and at $200, the price is right--especially if you have Amazon Prime and access to all the "free" goodies. For a full-size tablet, I'd spend the extra $50 over this and get the refurb 16GB iPad 2.

Eh, I disagree about the whole user interface comparison between Xoom and IPad 2. Xoom's UI has more customizability, yes. But as for functionality, iPad 2 is more intuitive. And you most certainly do not need to have all icons on home screen. For example, iOS allows you to stack multiple app icons together to form a sub window you can name. That means you can set all your games under one sub window, all productivity, etc. as for multitasking, it's about the same too. Push the home button twice and you can swap between apps. Some apps explicitly forbid multitasking though. On the other hand, android supports multitasking a little better in that you can bring up a list of windows. However, keep in mind that battery drain and system performance on Xoom will degrade increasingly with more apps open. Regular use of task killer is needed.

If you are not extremely tech savvy, iOS is still the way to go. I've owned a variety of Android gadgets in addition to both iPad 2 and 3. My girlfriend, who is not very tech-y, refuses to touch my current android tabs, Transformer Prime and HTC EVO View.

One more thing to note is that Xoom's viewing angle is noticeably worse than IPS panels like transformer and iPad, or even great LCD panels like View. It's still heck of a lot better than Dell Streak.

Also, keep in mind that most Xoom reviews out there were written a long time ago before tablet standards were raised substantially.

One additional comment I'd make is that since this Woot is for a refurb of a rather old device, battery performance will likely be a crapshoot. It depends on how much the previous owner took care of the tablet (e.g. Battery drain and full charge monthly). Factories never replace batteries as part of the refurb process.

With that said, Xoom should be really awesome for Tegra 2 optimized games from Gameloft. It's native support for micro-HDMI output also makes it a replacement or substitute for Roku and other wifi video streaming devices, and play flash videos. Those are things IPad can never do (well, not easily).

In an era where you can get a Kindle Fire (another fine Amazon product!) for $200, $300 for a refurbished tablet doesn't seem like a good deal.

Nice setup. can't find any info on GPS? I saw one line about google maps, but nothing about having full function GPS chip.

jbgroup1 wrote:I wonder if this is upgradeable to Andriod 4.0 ICS.

Yes. Running 4.0.4 on mine.

Edit: Looks like I am a bit late to the party. Questing has been answered. Many times.

Many of the woot refurb Xooms are from Radioshacks. I know this because when people got their's from the last few woot offerings, Radioshack email addresses were stored in the gmail memory. Well, they certainly seemed brand new and well taken care of.